9 Unexpected Spring Experiences in Georgetown

It’s that time of year to get your sea legs – or, in this case, river legs. Bring the whole family to Key Bridge Boathouse or Thompson Boat Center and rent kayaks, paddleboards, or canoes by the hour or day. Tours and classes are also available. Paddleboard or boat past the Georgetown Waterfront, Roosevelt Island, some of DC’s most stunning monuments and under the beautiful Key Bridge.

Experience one of the most visited national park sites in the country in a new way on a guided walking tour. Learn about the fascinating history, technology and culture of the Canal, and the surprising stories of the people who lived, worked and played here over the past two centuries. Tours will begin later this spring; stay tuned for more details!

ABCDC by Takoma Park, Md.-based artist Jesse Kirsch was created for the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s 2021 public art exhibition, Art In Bloom. This beautiful sculpture now has a permanent home in Georgetown, and currently resides in the small park near 1028 33rd St NW. Inspired by antique wood type from the world of letterpress and the alphabetized streets of Washington, DC, each letterform has a unique shape and history – much like the city, its iconic cherry blossoms, and its people. A hidden message among the jumble of letters aims to bring viewers hope for a better day to come. Take a seat, snap a picture, and tag @OfficialGeorgetownDC!

The Fountain Inn features a rare spirits tasting room with historic roots. Originally established in 1783 by clockmaker John Suter, The Fountain Inn was one of the most important taverns in American history – where Thomas Jefferson drank, George Washington slept, and city plans were made. The Georgetown bar also hosted the debate between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams during the election of 1800, for all you Hamilton fans. Although the exact location of the original tavern is unknown, the new Fountain Inn pays homage to its spirit and history. Over 250+ unique spirit expressions are on the menu, in addition to featured flights like A Presidential Palate and An Agave Adventure. Craft cocktail highlights include Fish House Punch and Syllabub, the latter dating back to 1600. Beer, wine, and zero-proof cocktails are also available, plus a charcuterie and cheese board. Upstairs, a private dining and rare spirits experience can be booked for up to 14 people.

Known for its antique stores, art galleries, independent boutiques and buttery croissants, the historic Book Hill neighborhood is home to more than 50 small businesses, the heart of which are along the 1500 and 1600 blocks of Wisconsin Avenue. Lesser known are its hidden backyard patios and gardens, perfect for a quiet and picturesque escape. Enjoy a cappuccino and apricot tart on Patisserie Poupon’s patio, or dinner under the garden lights at City Sliders. A few blocks down the hill, Boulangerie Christophe’s back patio features a hidden mural.

And you thought keeping that orchid alive was hard?! Inside of the Dumbarton Oaks orangery grows a 150+-year-old Ficus Pumila – the oldest house plant in North America. All of the historic estate’s gardens are rooted in the legacy of Dumbarton Oak’s original gardener, Beatrix Jones Farrand. The only female founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Beatrix began designing the garden in 1921 with Mildred Barnes Bliss, who purchased the property with her husband the year prior. The grounds were eventually donated to Harvard University. In addition to the gardens, don’t miss the Dumbarton House museum for its world-class collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art.

Toward the western end of Georgetown Waterfront Park, you can get your meditation on with a few laps around the labyrinth – funded by an organization that promotes urban green spaces to facilitate community healing. Work your way from the outer edge along a circular path to the center and quiet your mind. One lap for every day since March 2020 should do the trick.

StudioLab RD is helmed by DC-based contemporary abstract artist Robin Davisson, who left her career as an award-winning biomedical scientist to follow her passion for art and painting. Studio visitors can browse available art, flip through Robin’s art library, and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea on the studio’s sun-filled street level. Upstairs, guests can watch Robin at work, from testing ideas in her sketchbook and prepping canvases, to mixing and applying paints. Robin will be accessible during open studio hours (Wed – Sat, 11 am – 5 pm) to chat and explore the creative process together.

Tucked away just one block south of bustling M Street, Cady’s Alley feels like you’ve been transported to a quiet European village (without involving TSA). The charming cobblestone alley is home to more than 20 home furnishing showrooms, fashion and specialty boutiques nestled in a cluster of historic industrial buildings. Nestled in between the showrooms, Kafe Leopold serves Austrian fare, from schnitzel to strudel, on its patio.